AMBITIOUS plans to develop a 120-hectare forest park in Burnley have been unveiled.

It is hoped the 1.2sq km park, which will start on the egde of the town centre, will come to rival similar sites in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Forest of Bowland.

The scheme would see 12 separately managed sites, either owned by the county council or borough council, come together to create a tourism facility that would attract visitors from across the region.

The park would bring together current sites such as Thursby Gardens, Bank Hall and Rowley Lake.

Simon Goff, head of green spaces at the council, said: “This will provide access to a significant part of the countryside for people who don’t have those benefits.

“Instead of travelling out of the area to visit woodland sites there is an opportunity here in Burnley.”

The forest park would create cycling facilities including 15km of tracks for families, mountain bike routes, a skills and trials area and a BMX track.

Other facilities would include an adventure play area, equestrian routes, visitor centre and cafe and an outdoor grassed arena for events.

The council has already secured around £65,000 funding to look at the project and officials believe the whole scheme could cost less than £1million.

Mr Goff said: “It will be a sustainable cost.

“It is a chance to create great recreation potential at very little future cost.”

Coun Andy Tatchell said: “We can plan for Burnley’s future by putting this in place.

“In 15 or 20 years when the trees start to mature this will be a big part of Burnley developed by intention.”

A presentation on plans for the project was given to councillors at the leadership and community scrutiny mee-ting on Tuesday.